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How can I reduce my risk of tick borne infection?

Ticks are an integral - and sadly, growing - part
of the outdoor environment. Although there’s no way to eliminate them
completely, you can take certain steps to reduce your risk. So, enjoy nature,
but tread with care.

Practice avoidance: Learn about the biology of ticks in your
area and avoid areas where and when they are most abundant. Our Tick Documents page provides reference materials to
help you learn more about ticks and tick-borne diseases. Enjoy nature, but be
aware of creatures that may be looking for you, whether it is a tick, mosquito, or other creature that would find you attractive!

Evaluate your home and landscape: Rodents visiting or nesting in the walls
of the home may bring ticks and other pests directly into your living space.
Take measures to discourage wildlife from exploiting your home, and pursue
rational pest management strategies should you have a problem. To exclude
rodents from entering, seal or cover holes or other penetrations in the home’s
foundation, and ensure that the any spaces beneath exterior doors are protected
with rodent-resistant door sweeps. Select ornamental plants that are not
attractive to deer. Keep woodpiles and high grass or brush away from the home
to discourage rodents (and their ticks) from thriving nearby. Certain
acaricides (products labeled to kill ticks) can be applied to the property.
Some of these products must be broadcast to the landscape, and may offer only
transient benefits. Consider contracting with a licensed pesticide applicator
who may know how to select and apply such products. Yet other acaricides are
formulated into cotton balls. Some mice abscond with these treated products to
line their nests. This may result in reducing the abundance of infected ticks
on a property.

Dress appropriately: Clothing can offer you some protection
from ticks. By tucking pant legs into socks or boots, you can restrict access
of ticks to your legs. Ticks will then have to climb up the outside of your
pants to find skin. If you glance downwards periodically, you may then notice
these, and then remove them before they reach bare skin.

Use an efficacious repellent: Certain repellents can be applied
directly to skin or clothing; other formulations that are acaricidal and/or
repellent can be applied to clothing. Select a product that contains an
EPA-registered insect/tick repellent or acaricide, and use it according to the
instructions on the label. When used properly, these products can provide a
considerably level of protection. Consult with your veterinarian regarding what
products may be applied to your pets. Proper use of these products can reduce
the risks that your pets will feed ticks or transport ticks into the home. Note
that products used on people should not be used on pets. Similarly, veterinary
formulations should be used only on the specific kinds of pets as described on
the label, and not applied to other animals or used on people.

Check for ticks, and remove them without
delay: Check yourself,
your family and your pets carefully. The sooner you find and remove ticks, the
greater the chance that you’ll reduce risks of irritation as well as tick-borne
infection and disease. Exercise a routine nightly tick check (assuming you’ve
had exposure to ticks). Save any tick and consider sending it to us for
evaluation using our Specimen
Evaluation Form.

Contact your doctor: If you exhibit any rash, discomfort or
other illness, or if you have any medical questions or concerns, contact your
physician. Similarly, if you have your tick evaluated, do share and discuss the
results with your doctor using the results supplied via the IdentifyUS Specimen
Evaluation Form.